Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Forget everything you know about Alice and immerse yourself in this fantastical tale. Thanks to the ever-imaginative Tim Burton, Underland is like nothing you’ve ever seen.

19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) travels through Underland where the people and things seem strangely familiar. Along the way she find her muchness, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the Cheshire Cat, the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and her sister, the White Queen (Anne Hathaway).

This film has phenomenal casting. It's a hodge-podge of well-known names and their voices. Newcomer Wasikowska is pitch-perfect. She is equally child-like and womanly. Ultimately the weight of the film falls on her thin shoulders and she is superb. Christopher Lee cameos. Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Imedla Staunton, and Timothy Spall lend their distinct voices to inhabitants of Underland. Helena Bonham Carter is perfectly evil as the sadistic Queen and her henchman; one-eyed Stayne (Crispin Glover)—the Knave of Hearts adds just the right touch.

Johnny Depp gets his own paragraph. The Madness is spot-on; and Johnny’s mix of Scottish brogue (?) when mad is smart. His manic hair, eyeballs, and randomness threaten to over take the film at times, but his character adds wonderfulness.

The CG is a blend of steampunk and Burton’s trademarks. There’s always something interesting to look at. Whether its Hatter’s bobbin bandolier, the White Queen’s chess pieces, Absolam, or the Jabberwocky—you will be fascinated.

Burton borrows Lewis Carroll’s books and reinvents them. It’s amazing to see him build an emotional connection to an otherwise series of random events. Burton ties our characters together—enhancing them—and creates a brand new world. Danny Elfman delivers with another delightful score. He always knows where to punctuate, subtly enhancing the film.

As I see it, Tim Burton wins again. Though is canon of work is for a select few, mark Alice in Wonderland as one to see. I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed.